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November 10, 2011

Still Alice

"Still Alice" was
written by a doctor, Lisa Genova, who holds a Ph. D in neuroscience from
Harvard University. It is a book about the gradual affects of early
onset Alzheimers on one woman's life.

Alice is a well
educated and intelligent woman of 50, who is happily married with three
grown children. Throughout the book she slowly succumbs to the
devastating affects of this disease. It follows her life from when she
first starts to recognize signs of the disease, and continues through
the years until she doesn't even know who her family is anymore.

At
one point in the novel she is out for a jog on a path she has jogged a
hundred times before, and comes to a crossroads and suddenly can't
remember where she is. This scene really stuck in my memory. How
terrifying would that be?

This book made me think of how this disease may affect a non-christian verses a christian.

I
remember going to visit my step grandma in the care home she was living
in after my grandpa had passed away. She had signs of Alzheimers and
didn't really know who we were. She talked to us like it was the 1930's
and she keep saying...'I have to get to the cable car right way!' She
also kept whispering to me...'who is that good looking man?!'...as she
looked over at my husband. :) It was a little uncomfortable at first but
when we started talking about the Lord she lit up...she knew exactly
who He was. I knew then that God had not left her alone.

This novel has a little bit of bad language throughout, but other than
that I would highly recommend it if you are interested in what an
Alzheimers patient goes through. It's a tough read but will give you a greater understanding of this disease and its affects.

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Welcome to my blog!
A blog of thoughts on books I've read with a few extra thoughts thrown in. : )
I'm a wife and mom of three. I love reading and learning, gardening and listening to good music and I love spending time with my family.
My hope is that this blog brings honor to the Lord and some encouragement for you.